Weight Watchers Points Formula

You need to be aware of the Weight Watchers points formula in order to determine the exact points that you are permitted to consume while on this diet. This Buzzle article presents the formula and the factors that affect the Weight Watchers points system.

Disclaimer: The team of Weight Watchers keeps updating the program, according to the requirements/feedback of their members. It teaches members how to manage their food environment, claiming that we tend to eat what we see. It also guides people on ways to control their temptation and to avoid pleasure eating. Weight Watchers has not increased their rates for this new approach, and all the meetings, eTools, and apps are included in the total fee.

The content in this article explains the Weight Watchers program in detail. The details of the current program are exclusively available to the paid members of Weight Watchers.

Losing weight has become the topmost priority of most people today. When it comes to weight loss and associated diet plans, Weight Watchers is one name that is often heard, and one that many people swear by. Weight watchers is an international company which is quite popular for its specialized weight-management programs and specific diet plans. One of their most popular weight loss programs is the Weight Watchers points program. This weight loss program is one of its kind, since it involves no restrictive diets. The only thing to watch out for is the number of Weight Watchers points that you consume on a daily basis. The number of points to be consumed vary from person to person, and you can calculate them with help of the exclusive Weight Watchers points formula.

Factors that Affect the Weight Watchers Points System

The original formula is strictly guarded under the patent law regulations of the United States. However, the new formula, which is similar to the original one, is available online. This formula is quite flexible, owing to various factors that affect it. These various factors are age, height, weight, gender, and activity level in the lifestyle of that person. It is also the reason why the formula for men and women gives different results. Average number of Weight Watchers points to be consumed by men is '8', while for women it is '2'. Before learning more about the actual formula, it is extremely important for you to understand the points distribution of the same.

AgeA person who wants to follow this weight loss program is required to be above 17 years of age. The group-wise points distribution for age is:

17 to 26 years: 4 points

27 to 37 years: 3 points

38 to 47: 2 points

48 to 58 years: 1 point

Above 58 years: 0 points

WeightThe points distribution for people who belong to the following weight groups has been enlisted here.

150 to 174 lbs: 20 - 25 points

175 to 199 lbs: 22 - 27 points

200 to 224 lbs: 24 - 29 points

225 to 249 lbs: 26 - 31 points

250 to 274 lbs: 28 - 33 points

275 to 299 lbs: 29 - 34 points

300 to 324 lbs: 30 - 35 points

325 to 349 lbs: 31 - 36 points

People over 350 lbs: 32 - 37 points

HeightThe Weight Watchers points distribution according to height is:

People under 5 feet 1 inch: 0 points

5 feet 1 inch to 5 feet 10 inches: 1 point

Over 5 feet 10 inches: 2 points

Activity LevelThe activity level of one person is different from that of another's, which is the reason why this is an important point to be considered while using the formula to calculate the number of permitted points. The points distribution according to activity level of a person is:

Sedentary lifestyle: 0 points

Occasionally active lifestyle : 2 points

Those who perform standing work and walking duties for long hours: 4 points

Those who perform daily physical hard work : 6 points

Weight Watchers Points Formula

If you are interested in knowing how many points are needed to be consumed per day, then you first need to know the Weight Watchers formula. This formula is:

p = c/50 + f/12 - min {r,4}/5

In the above formula, 'p' is the number of points, while 'c' represent the calories, 'f' represents fats, 'r' represents the number of dietary fibers and 'min {r, 4}' represents the smaller amount between the dietary fibers or '4'. As you can see, this formula is pretty self-explanatory, and with its help, you can easily make a points chart for yourself. You can simply make an excel sheet, and then keep track of the points that you consume throughout the day, and the associated weight loss.

According to the reviews, there are several pros and cons of Weight Watchers points system. The pros include steady weight loss on a long term basis, while the most noticeable con of this diet program for some people, is its cost!

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of an expert.

The formula makes no sense to me...All this p=c and whatever...So if a women is 58 yrs old, weighs 202 and is 5-4inches tall. How many points or p's can she eat? And what about the fats, carbs, etc in the food itself...Just to much to figure out...Nutrisystem is starting to look really good right about now! So much easier , same thing just pre ordered meals and ad your fruit, Vegs.,etc - Confused [February 18, 2015]

How would I know how many points in fat, calories, carbs I need to eat on a daily basis...This is suppose to be a free thing so I don't have to spend money I don't have on w.w. I need help! - Kay [February 11, 2015]

I don't get it...How many points can I eat if I'm 202 lb. female...How do I know what the heck to eat? Can someone explain it to me...I'm 58 ,,,weigh 202,,,my height is 5'2. So if I can eat like 14 points daily can it be anything on the food list that shows how many points the item is? - Kay [February 11, 2015]

I don't understand all this point stuff...I'm a female, age 58, weight is 202, my height is 5'2...How many points of fats, carbs, etc am I suppose to eat daily to lose 60 lbs.? This is a very hard program - Kay [February 11, 2015]

Does this mean that women in the 5'1 to 5' 10 need to stick to mostly I pt items.I don't understand this part,please help - Teresa Blackmon [March 10, 2014]

I don't understand the weekly extra points that you get - Diana Caviggia [June 12, 2013]

I'm disgusted. I thought I was a member and have tried repeatedly to pull up my points plus program, in order to key in certain foods. I can't find that option anywhere.Therese Hayes - Therese [April 8, 2013]

This was the points formula when I went there in 2004. They changed it from that in 2010. Also, the formula for determining the number of points you eat is wrong; you've combined several different parts of different formulas & completely misread some of the parts. When it says 2 for women and 8 for men that doesn't mean the average woman eats 2 points (100 calories) a day & the average man eats 8 points (400 calories) a day. It means after you have found your baseline points (10% of your weight) you add 2 if you're a girl & 8 if you're a guy. Same thing for height, age, activity, & breastfeeding (you skipped that one). - Cin [February 28, 2013]